Solutions

Case Studies

For over 20 years UST has provided Australian industry with innovative surface engineering solutions for combating
wear and corrosion. One example is our unique range of surface coating solutions for severe service hydraulic
cylinders.

Composite reinforced polymers (CRP's) generally combine high stiffness and tensile strength with low density.
These materials have poor wear resistance, moderate electrical and thermal conductivity, and are
limited to relatively low service temperatures. By applying suitable thermal spray coatings many of these limitations
can be overcome.

Pump components are subject to wear, corrosion and cavitation damage in service,
which reduces pump efficiency and component life and significantly increases the life
cycle cost of the pump. All these degradation mechanisms are active on the surfaces of the pump
components, and therefore surface coatings could be an effective way of addressing this problem.

Degradation processes such as wear, corrosion, cavitation, fretting and fatigue are active on the surface of the engineering component, and it follows that a suitably modified surface can be a powerful tool in improving the performance, and extending the service life, of engineering components.

Wear is damage to a solid surface involving the progressive mechanical loss of material due to the relative motion between two surfaces. Wear is commonly classified as sliding (typically referred to as adhesive, galling, metal-to-metal), abrasion or erosion wear

Wear

Refurbishment or reconditioning is the process whereby a damaged component is reclaimed to its original dimensions and functional state, typically through the localised application of a suitable coating. Often the functional performance (e.g. wear or corrosion resistance) can be significantly improved, e.g. a damaged seal landing on a shaft can be refurbished using a coating which is significantly more wear resistant than the original shaft material.

Repair and Refurbishment

Corrosion is damage to a metal surface involving electrochemical loss of material due to the oxidation of the metal. Corrosion is commonly classified as uniform, galvanic, crevice, pitting, intergranular, stress or erosion-corrosion. Corrosion can take place in the presence of liquids (aqueous, chemicals, molten metals and salts etc.), gases (air, atmospheres) and solids (soils).

Corrosion Protection

Low-friction or slipperiness is a property of a surface whereby substances are prevented from sticking because the surface has been modified to provide a specific low coefficient of friction. This is usually achieved by coating the surface with a fluoropolymer material, often in combination with a thermal spray bondcoat. The thermal spray bondcoat provides improved adhesion and wear resistance to enhance the low-friction properties.

Low Friction

Traction is a surface property whereby substances are prevented from slipping because the surface texture has been modified to provide a specific high coefficient of friction. This is usually achieved by applying a thermal spray coating, often in combination with a polymer topcoat. The polymer topcoat makes it possible to provide traction with enhanced nonstick properties. High-friction coatings ensure tight starts, eliminate slippage, improve web tracking, improve tension control, and elimate wrinkles.

Traction

Anti-fouling is a property of a surface whereby the growth of marine organisms is prevented or suppressed because the surface has been modified to bio-toxic or non-stick. Non-toxic anti-sticking coatings prevent attachment of microorganisms thus negating the use of biocides. . This is usually achieved by coating the surface with a smooth hydrophobic thermal spray coating, often in combination with a polymer sealer.

Anti-Fouling

Release (also called non-stick or cleanability) is a property of a surface whereby substances are prevented from sticking because of the hydrophobicity of the surface. This is usually achieved by coating the surface with special polymer materials, often in combination with a thermal spray bondcoat. The thermal spray bondcoat also provides a specific roughness profiles to the surface structure whereby the contact area is reduced and the nonstick properties enhanced.

Release

Electrical insulation is a property of a surface whereby electrical current is prevented from flowing because the surface has been modified to be non-conducting. This is usually achieved by coating the surface with a ceramic material in combination with an insulating sealer.

Electrical Insulation/ Conduction

Heat transfer across a surface can be modified by the application of a suitable coating. Ceramic thermal barrier coatings reduce heat transfer, protecting the underlying material. Thermal conductivity can also be improved by the application of a suitable metallic coating.

Thermal Insulation/ Conduction

About UST

United Surface Technologies (UST) Pty Ltd is an ISO 9001:2008 certified engineering company that provides industry with and advanced thermal spray coating and weld hardfacing service... View More